Cases of depression and schizophrenia are not hereditary

A study by the University of Aarhus (Denmark), published in The Lancet Psychiatry And as Infosalus collects, it reveals that most of the Patients diagnosed with depression or schizophrenia have no family history close to the same condition.

The investigation, which analyzed the data of more than 3 million Danes since 1920, shows that the 89 % of people with schizophrenia It does not record close relatives with that diagnosis, and the 60 % of those who suffer from depression Nor do they have family history. These findings indicate that these mental illnesses are not exclusive to certain families.

Although genetic factors influence, most cases – including disorders such as bipolar, personality limit and others – occur in people No known hereditary predispositionaccording to the study.

The Esben Agerbo co -author explains that many of these disorders arise from the combination of small genetic variations, without a single determining gene. In addition, environmental factors and chance intervene. The study provides innovative information when describing the Absolute risk: For example, having a father or brother with depression raises the risk to approximately 15 %while in the absence of close relatives, the risk is maintained below 5 %. Even with direct family history, there is around a 85 % probability of not developing the disease.

Agerbo highlights the importance of spreading this message to clarify the common belief that mental disorders are fundamentally inherited.

The study also underlines the need for a double strategy in the fight against mental illnesses: on the one hand, a personalized medicine that considers both genetics and the individual environment; On the other, public policies aimed at reducing social stress, lowering alcohol consumption and promoting mental well -being.